Laura’s Story: Facing Stage 4 Lymphoma with Strength and Determination
In July 2024, I found a lump the size of an egg at the top of my right leg. A few months later, after tests and scans, I got the call. My doctor didn’t need to say much — I already knew I had cancer.
What shocked me most? I felt completely fine. No pain. No warning signs beyond that lump.
My name is Laura. I’m living with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma that has transformed into an aggressive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, which they call a “double hit.”
At first, I was placed on “watch and wait.” If you’ve never heard that term before, it can feel like living in limbo, knowing you have cancer but not yet treating it!
Then things changed. That small lump began to grow, slowly at first, then rapidly. Within months, it became a painful mass that made it difficult to walk.
By January 2026, everything escalated. Tests, biopsies, scans, and suddenly, treatment couldn’t wait anymore.
I began an intensive chemoimmunotherapy treatment that requires me to travel four hours every 21 days. Each time, I’m admitted to the hospital for about a week, receiving continuous IV treatment 24 hours a day for four days.
It’s not easy, but I remind myself that this treatment is saving my life.
Advances in lymphoma research are what make my treatment possible. Ongoing research improves how the disease is diagnosed and treated, giving patients like me more options and better outcomes.
Through it all, I’ve been incredibly fortunate. My family, friends, coworkers, and healthcare teams have shown me unwavering support.
I found strength in educating myself, understanding my diagnosis, asking questions, and staying informed. That’s where Lymphoma Canada made a real difference for me. Their educational resources and support programs helped me better understand what I was facing. In moments of uncertainty, having access to reliable, patient-focused information gave me a sense of control and hope.
When you hear words like “Stage 4” or “aggressive lymphoma,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but knowledge truly is power.
Today, I’m halfway through my treatment. Like many patients, I don’t know exactly what comes next, but I’m staying focused on moving forward, one step at a time. That’s why your support matters.
Your gift to Lymphoma Canada supports research that makes our healthcare system work better for everyone and gives lymphoma patients like me a better chance at recovery.
Please consider donating today. By supporting research, you are helping create better outcomes for lymphoma patients like me. Your generosity helps lymphoma patients navigate their journeys with confidence, courage, and the resources they need to keep going.
Thank you for being part of this support system.
Laura, lymphoma Patient
